Blue Jays Single-A outfielder Edward Olivares aims to finish 2017 with 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases as a member of the Lansing Lugnuts

The Toronto Blue Jays minor league system has received a lot of attention in 2017. The emergence/development of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette has stolen the show this season.

The pair put up impressive numbers during their time with the Lansing Lugnuts and continue to impress with the Dunedin Blue Jays. Despite all that Vlad and Bo have accomplished in 2017, their accomplishments may not be the most significant in the system.

That honor may belong to Lugnuts outfielder Edward Olivares as he aims to become the first Blue Jays prospect to hit 20 home runs and steal 20 bases in the same season in a very very very long time.

I wish I could tell you how long but truth be told, I’ve got no clue who the last Blue Jays prospect to have a 20/20 season or if the Blue Jays ever had one.

I went as far back as 2005 but couldn’t find any other prospect to accomplish a 20/20 season for the Blue Jays. I came across a handful of players who came close, but no cigar.

2016

2014 and 2013

2011

Four prospects came close to reaching the 20/20 mark with the speedy Gose being closest with 16 bombs and 70 stolen bases. Micheal Crouse hit 14 bombs and 38 stolen bases. Jake Marisnick hit 14 home runs and stole 37 bases.

No one even came close prior to 2011.

The 21-yr-old Edward Olivares seemingly came out of nowhere. I say seemingly because Jay Blue (Blue Jays From Away) and I both viewed Olivares as a darkhorse in 2017. He posted excellent numbers in 2014 as a member of the DSL Blue Jays before struggling in 2015. He rebounded in 2016 in an injury shortened season.

The 2017 season is Olivares first year in full season A-ball and it’s been an eventful one. After getting out of the gates slowly (kinda), Edward Olivares caught fire and never looked back. He hit for the cycle on April 24 but was batting just .172 in his previous 15 games.

Inside the Numbers

The Lansing outfielder needs just 4 home runs and 2 stolen bases to reach 20/20. While there is no guarantee that he’ll get there, the probability is high. He is averaging 4 home runs and 4.25 stolen bases per month.

In a perfect world, Olivares would end the year with 20 home runs and 22 or 23 stolen bases. However, Olivares seems to be hitting for more power hitting 11 HR between June and July but hasn’t been running as much with just 2 SB in July.

The native of Caracas, Venezuela hasn’t registered a HR or SB through his first 7 games in August. This slow start to August puts his 20/20 season in jeopardy. With 25 games remaining, Olivares will need to snap out of this cold spell if he is to become the Blue Jays first 20/20 prospect in forever, if ever.

Regardless if Olivares reaches the 20/20 mark, Edward will finish as one of the Eastern League’s best outfielders. Olivares leads the Midwest in runs scored and ranks in the top 10 of many offensive categories.

There is two other Eastern League prospect eligible to reach the 20/20 plateau. Dayton Dragons Jose Siri (19HR/34SB) and Fort Wayne TinCaps Fernando Tatis Jr. (19HR/28SB).

If anyone can find another Blue Jays prospect to have a 20/20, or better, season please let me know.